Monday, October 24, 2011

A new approach

If you've visited my blog before, you know that it's been devoted to matters of interest to freelance writers: workshops, job leads, tips for the self-employed. I've had little feedback or contributions over the years, with one major exception (you know who you are, Joan). It's time for a new approach.

I'm still a 60 Percenter, so I'm going to keep the name, but I'm going to use this forum for creative pursuits. I'm not sure how the rest of you out there are doing, but I've found the freelance market has tightened up considerably and pay has plummeted. I still write for some local papers and magazines, thankfully, but I have more free time these days, and I want to keep my brain engaged.

Sometimes, I will write first-person stories. On occasion, I might delve into fiction, as the mood strikes me. Eventually, I might start another blog for posting formal, researched articles that you might see in a professional publication. I've pitched several ideas to various outlets that no one has picked up, even though I know the topics are strong. I'm sure some of my editors aren't aware of the full range of my abilities, so this will be a way to showcase them.

No matter what I write online, it will come from a place of honesty and candidness. I appreciate that when I write for clients, my words reflect on their publication or business, but here, I'd like to "let it all hang out," so to speak. I'll get started this week. Please check back for my first posts.

About Me

I'm a freelance writer in Phoenix, Arizona. I write for Phoenix Magazine, the Arizona Republic, South Mountain District News, Wrangler News and other local publications. I set up this blog to connect freelance writers around Arizona. It's called 60 Percenters because the corporate world often asks employees to "give 110 percent" to the company. We prefer to devote 60 percent of our lives to work, reserving the other 40 percent for important things such as family, friends and outside interests -- including taking catnaps, drinking wine and goofing off in general.